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Cattle being non-seasonal breeding species, effects of photoperiods on sperm traits and morphology had been reported inadequately in breeding bulls. To elucidate the plausible existence of effects of photoperiods and seasons, seminal traits of Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal crossbred dairy bulls (N = 557) were analysed using different statistical models. A present study revealed that the biological rhythm of reproduction oscillated almost in parallel to the annual changes of natural photoperiods even in non-seasonal breeding species like cattle bulls. Semen traits diminished to the lowest in winter solstice (WS ± 45 days), progressively increased with the rising day length of spring (vernal equinox ± 45 days), reached a peak in summer solstice (SS ± 45 days), and then gradually reduced with decreasing photoperiod of the autumn equinox (AE ± 45 days). From summer solstice to winter solstice, sperm concentration reduced by 90.53 million/ml (8.85%), total sperm count/ejaculate decreased by 785 million (13.87%), total motile sperm count/ejaculate reduced by 17.59%, and total post-thaw motile sperm counts/ejaculates diminished by 38.64%. In short-duration photoperiods (≤ 12 h), bulls had a significantly (P < 0.01) higher incidence of major, minor, tail abnormality and total aberrant sperm% compared to that of long-duration photoperiods (> 12 h). Solstice equinox–based seasonal classification provided better insight into photoperiodicity on bulls’ semen quality and sperm traits as compared to conventional meteorological classification of seasons. It was concluded that photoperiods affect sperm productivity, semen quality, and sperm morphology in non-seasonal breeding species like dairy bulls, maintained at transitional latitude (29° N) tropical climate. Bulls’ reproductive ability was more influenced by the phases of increasing/decreasing day length duly primed by climax/trough of photoperiods, compared to mere long/short duration of photoperiods.

To assess the effect of Thuja (Thuja occidentalis) and Levamisole on the spermiogram of FMD vaccinated crossbred bulls, 24 adult Frieswal (Holstein x Sahiwal) bulls were divided into four groups viz. GC (control; no vaccination), GV (vaccinated), GL (vaccinated + Levamisole) and GH (vaccinated + Thuja). The bulls of GV, GL and GH groups were vaccinated with FMD vaccine. Four injections of levamisole were administered to the bulls of GL group at weekly interval starting from one week prior to the FMD vaccination. Homoeopathy medicine (Thuja) was given orally to the bulls of GH group consecutively on four days (on 4, 3, 2 & 1 day, respectively) before FMD vaccination. Average rectal temperature in vaccinated bulls increased significantly than in non-vaccinated bulls after 24 hrs of FMD vaccination. In GH, it was similar to GC in 36 h, however, became normal in all groups in 48 h of vaccination. Average VAP and VSL values were higher (p<0.05) in GC than in the other groups. Bulls of GH had higher (p<0.05) initial sperm subjective and CASA progressive motility and linearity than in GV. After six weeks VSL values continued to be significantly higher in GC than in GL but it was similar in GV and GH. Total sperm abnormalities were within the prescribed limit of semen preservation up to first week after vaccination in all the groups. The results of the present study indicated that Thuja was able to prevent deterioration in sperm kinetic parameters subsequent to FMD vaccination in crossbred bulls.

The study was undertaken to assess the level of trace minerals, antioxidants and semen quality in normo, oligo and ashthenozoospermic breeding frieswal bulls. Semen samples were collected from breeding bulls (47) maintained at bull rearing unit of ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut. Trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Co and Fe) and oxidative stress parameters (SOD, Catalase and MDA) were determined in semen samples of breeding bulls. Sperm motility and concentration were measured in fresh ejaculates. The mean zinc and copper concentrations were significantly lower in blood and semen (p<0.05) in oligozoospermic and ashthenozoospermic bulls as compared to normozoospermic bulls. Cobalt and iron concentrations did not vary significantly in different group of breeding bulls. Significantly higher MDA and low SOD and catalase activities were present in seminal plasma of oligo and ashthenozoospermic bulls as compared to normozoospermic bulls. The MDA had significant negative correlation with motility (p<0.05, r = -0.303) and sperm concentration (p<0.001, r = -0.473) while SOD and Catalase had significant positive correlation with initial sperm motility (p<0.05, r = 0.273; p<0.001, r = 0.435) and sperm concentration (p<0.001, r = 0.575; p<0.001, r = 0.631). The study concluded that oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia are associated with an increased MDA concentration and decreased activities of SOD and Catalase in the seminal plasma of breeding bulls. Present findings suggested that determination of antioxidant status of semen during infertility investigation seems to be useful.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of shed designing on microclimatic variables, physiological responses and semen quality parameters of breeding bulls during different seasons. Thirty-one adult Frieswal (Holstein Friesian and Sahiwal cross) breeding bulls were distributed into four groups i.e. in traditional sheds (TG) having open area in north (TGN - 8 bulls) and south directions (TGS - 8 bulls) and in modified sheds (MG) having open area in east (MGE - 8 bulls) and west directions (MGW - 7 bulls). The sides of bull pens in traditional (east-west oriented) and modified sheds (north-south oriented) were covered and open, respectively. Biweekly semen ejaculates were evaluated for volume, sperm concentration and initial sperm motility. Significantly (P<0.05) lower THI (temperature humidity index) value in the afternoon period was observed in MG than in TG during hot and humid season. The bulls of TG had significantly higher (P<0.05) rectal temperature than those kept in MG during hot and humid season. Heart rate did not show any pattern in bulls during different seasons. Respiration rate (RR) in the bulls of all sheds were higher (P<0.05) during hot-dry and hot-humid seasons than in the other seasons, however, shed design had no effect on RR of bulls during different seasons. Significantly (P<0.05) higher initial motility was observed in bulls of MG than in the TG except during comfortable season. In conclusion, the modified sheds were comparatively better than traditional sheds as far as THI, physiological responses and initial progressive motility in breeding bulls are concerned.

Blood and hair samples were collected from seventy adult cattle reared in villages located near the industrial effluent contaminated River adjoining Meerut. Based on the distance of the villages from the river, they were divided into three areas viz. area 1 (villages located on the river bank), area 2 (villages within 1km distance from the river) and area 3 (villages more than 2 km from the river). Samples collected from cattle reared in rural locality away from the river were used as control. The mean lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels of blood and hair in the animals of area 1 and area 2 were significantly higher (P<0.05) as compared to control animals. The mean Pb and Cd levels of animals of area 3 were not significantly different from control values. Significantly low (P<0.05) copper and iron concentration in blood and hair were recorded in the animals from area1 and area 2 as compared to area 3 and control animals. Blood and hair zinc levels were not significantly different among animals of different areas. The blood cadmium level had significant negative correlation with blood copper(r=-0.379, p<0.01) and iron(r= -0.395, p<0.01). The blood lead levels had significant negative correlation with blood iron (r= -0.138, p< 0.05) and hair copper (r= -0.178, p< 0.05) and iron (r= -0.302, p< 0.05). The blood cadmium level had significant negative correlation with hair copper (r=-0.377, p< 0.01) and iron (r= -0.482, p<0.01). The study concludes that blood lead and cadmium influenced the concentration of trace minerals in the blood and hair.

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCHL1), a neuron-specific deubiquitinating enzyme, is one of the most abundant proteins in the brain. We describe three siblings from a consanguineous union with a previously unreported early-onset progressive neurodegenerative syndrome featuring childhood onset blindness, cerebellar ataxia, nystagmus, dorsal column dysfuction, and spasticity with upper motor neuron dysfunction. Through homozygosity mapping of the affected individuals followed by whole-exome sequencing of the index case, we identified a previously undescribed homozygous missense mutation within the ubiquitin binding domain of UCHL1 (UCHL1GLU7ALA), shared by all affected subjects. As demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry, purified UCHL1GLU7ALA, compared with WT, exhibited at least sevenfold reduced affinity for ubiquitin. In vitro, the mutation led to a near complete loss of UCHL1 hydrolase activity. The GLU7ALA variant is predicted to interfere with the substrate binding by restricting the proper positioning of the substrate for tunneling underneath the cross-over loop spanning the catalytic cleft of UCHL1. This interference with substrate binding, combined with near complete loss of hydrolase activity, resulted in a > 100-fold reduction in the efficiency of UCHL1GLU7ALA relative to WT. These findings demonstrate a broad requirement of UCHL1 in the maintenance of the nervous system.

Factors that underlie the clustering of metabolic syndrome traits are not fully known. We performed whole-exome sequence analysis in kindreds with extreme phenotypes of early-onset atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome, and identified novel loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the pancreatic elastase chymotrypsin-like elastase family member 2A (CELA2A). We further show that CELA2A is a circulating enzyme that reduces platelet hyperactivation, triggers both insulin secretion and degradation, and increases insulin sensitivity. CELA2A plasma levels rise postprandially and parallel insulin levels in humans. Loss of these functions by the mutant proteins provides insight into disease mechanisms and suggests that CELA2A could be an attractive therapeutic target. Exome sequencing identifies loss-of-function CELA2A mutations in families with early-onset atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. Functional studies show that CELA2A is a circulating enzyme that reduces platelet activation, triggers insulin secretion and degradation, and increases insulin sensitivity.

Iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) are the essential mineral nutrient for plant growth and development. However, the molecular interaction of the Fe and P pathways in crops remained largely obscure. In this study, we provide a comprehensive physiological and molecular analysis of hexaploid wheat response to single (Fe, P) and its combinatorial deficiencies. Our data showed that inhibition of the primary root growth occurs in response to Fe deficiency; however, growth was rescued when combinatorial deficiencies occurred. Analysis of RNAseq revealed that distinct molecular rearrangements during combined deficiencies with predominance for genes related to metabolic pathways and secondary metabolite biosynthesis primarily include genes for UDP-glycosyltransferase, cytochrome-P450s, and glutathione metabolism. Interestingly, the Fe-responsive cis-regulatory elements in the roots in Fe stress conditions were enriched compared to the combined stress. Our metabolome data also revealed the accumulation of distinct metabolites such as amino-isobutyric acid, arabinonic acid, and aconitic acid in the combined stress environment. Overall, these results are essential in developing new strategies to improve the resilience of crops in limited nutrients. This study was performed to understand the molecular changes occurring during the interaction of Phosphorus (P) and Iron (Fe) in hexaploid wheat roots. P and Fe show cross-talk as Fe deficiency-induced phenotype that was restored by the withdrawal of P. A total of 2780 differentially expressed genes were identified in the roots with the combined –Fe–P deficiencies with predominance for UDP-glycosyltransferases, cytochrome-450 and glutathione-S-transferases transcripts. The metabolomic changes identified the importance of amino-isobutyric acid, arabinonic acid and aconitic acid during dual deficiency This work provides a comprehensive insight to understand the molecular rearrangements occurring in wheat roots during Fe and P interaction.

Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCHL1), a neuron-specific de-ubiquitinating enzyme, is one of the most abundant proteins in the brain. We describe three siblings from a consanguineous union with a previously unreported early-onset progressive neurodegenerative syndrome featuring childhood onset blindness, cerebellar ataxia, nystagmus, dorsal column dysfuction, and spasticity with upper motor neuron dysfunction. Through homozygosity mapping of the affected individuals followed by whole-exome sequencing of the index case, we identified a previously undescribed homozygous missense mutation within the ubiquitin binding domain of UCHL1 (UCHL1 GLU7ALA ), shared by all affected subjects. As demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry, purified UCHL1 GLU7ALA , compared with WT, exhibited at least sevenfold reduced affinity for ubiquitin. In vitro, the mutation led to a near complete loss of UCHL1 hydrolase activity. The GLU7ALA variant is predicted to interfere with the substrate binding by restricting the proper positioning of the substrate for tunneling underneath the cross-over loop spanning the catalytic cleft of UCHL1. This interference with substrate binding, combined with near complete loss of hydrolase activity, resulted in a >100-fold reduction in the efficiency of UCHL1 GLU7ALA relative to WT. These findings demonstrate a broad requirement of UCHL1 in the maintenance of the nervous system.